Citizen Science & Education: Bioacoustic Recording

Bioacoustic Recording

Planet Birdsong offers training in audio-data collection, verification, preparation and storage to both higher level scientists and citizen scientists. Our participants are drawn from schools, polytechnic colleges, University level and working guides. We are committed to work to the same qualitative standards and specifications as already being developed at international level, to ensure maximum value from the data. Local birders and ornithologists will then take forward the recording of bird sounds, aiming to complete country lists and a rich data source, over a period of several years.

Birdsong recording training at IPRC Kitabi

We are providing as many participants as possible with access to recording equipment consisting of ParaChirp parabolic reflectors which we have developed in partnership with Mark Adams of Time and Space Learning to be compatible with locally available smartphones. You can buy your own parachirp here.

Recordings generated by Planet Birdsong’s citizen scientists are stored globally with e-bird, and we are collaborating with the Macaulay Library at Cornell University to ensure access to locally recorded bird sounds for both citizen scientists and specialists. For example, data collected in Rwanda is also supplied to the Rwanda Biodiversity Information System for use in local natural science.

In October 2021, Hilary MacBean of Planet Birdsong delivered a series of on-line webinars on birdsong recording with a view to establishing a cohort of sound recordists and data gathers in Rwanda. This was followed by active real time backup and tutoring through a WhatsApp group and in June 2022, a visit to Rwanda for face-to-face field training. The training continues in an on-line format and between participants themselves.

A survey in October 2022, of participants trained in Rwanda revealed useful information on the veracity of citizen science in Rwanda and the resources needed to make it a success.

In the summer of 2023, Trustee Hilary MacBean provided in person training across Rwanda. Read the 2023 report to find out more.

In the winter of 2025, Trustee Hilary MacBean led an expedition of Planet Birdsong recordists in search of Shelley's crimsonwing. Download the 2025 report to find out more.